[The value of thoracoscopic sympathectomy in the treatment of Raynaud's syndrome].

On the basis of a follow-up period lasting at least 6 years concerning 23 patients, in whom on account of a Raynaud-syndrome a thoracoscopic sympathicotomy in the region Th 2-5 was carried out in most cases bilaterally in two sessions, in comparison with the sympathicectomy performed in major surgery can be established:no mortality, no serious complications, duration of stay in hospital 5-7 days, no absolute healing. In a follow-up period of the same length in an approach of major surgery absolute healings are possible, but only in 35%. This gain is loaded by a longer stay in hospital of at least 10 days and a mortality of 4.3% as well as by a complication rate of 6-41%, to which in 8-13% of the cases a Horner-syndrome comes. Therefore, before an approach in major surgery a thoracoscopic intervention is to be tried. The thoracoscopic operators should strive for a sympathectomy with destroy of the ganglia Th 2 and 3 instead for a sympathicotomy.